A novel employment generating program to train unemployed youth as Elder Care Assistants will be commenced by HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) in collaboration with the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) of Sri Lanka.
The MoU between HelpAge and the Vocational Training Authority was signed by HASL Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge and the VTA Chairman Eng. Dr. Lionel Pinto. VTA, Director General, Chulangani Perera and Director, (Training), Mrs. Shantha Edirisinghe, HASL officials Chaminda de Silva and Janaka Seneviratna were present.
The program which is conducted under the guidance and direction of the Policy Development Unit of the Prime Minister’s office will be first commenced in the districts of Gampaha, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota and Nuwara–Eliya.
Over 50 youth will be selected from each district to be trained as Elder Care Assistants and the personnel will receive the internationally recognized ‘National Vocational Qualification Level 2’ (NVQ Level 2) certificates after their three months training period.
The NVQ Level 2 certificate helps them to work as care assistants for elderly citizens in Sri Lankan household and elders homes.
In addition, the certificates will help them to seek employment in foreign countries.
During the in-house training period the trainees will receive theoretical and also practical training where they undergo training to look after elders.
The trainees will also receive room maintaining methods and how to use household goods such as sophisticated washing machines, cleaning and other electrical equipment.
Executive Director, Liyanawaduge said, this is a novel program to our country and this training could be given to males and females between the age group of 18 to 40 free of charge.
He said the assistance of officials in nursing homes, private and public hospitals and elders homes will be obtained during training sessions.
VTA Chairman, Dr. Pinto made a request to HelpAge to conduct such training programs in all districts in the island.
HelpAge, Home Care and Training Division, Manager Janaka Seneviratna said such programmes will be conducted in other districts in future and thanked the Vocational Training Authority and the National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) for their assistance.